Latest news with #UPPCB
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
NGT fines Ghaziabad civic body ₹17.45 lakh for illegal waste dumping at Apsara Border
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed an environmental compensation of ₹17.45 lakh on the Ghaziabad municipal corporation for allegedly dumping municipal solid waste in violation of waste management rules. The order, delivered on July 31 while disposing of a petition by Laxmi Narain, a resident of Chikambarpur village, directed that the amount be deposited with the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) within two months. The NGT said the compensation would be used to remediate environmental damage in accordance with a plan to be drawn up by a committee comprising officials of the Central Pollution Control Board, UPPCB, and the Ghaziabad district magistrate. Narain had complained that the corporation was dumping waste at the Apsara Border area — in the Ghaziabad–Dilshad Garden stretch near GT Road — causing foul odour and air pollution, and posing a risk of disease outbreaks and groundwater contamination due to leachate seepage. 'We accordingly, in exercise of power under Section 15 read with Section 20 of the NGT Act, 2010, and invoking the principle of 'Polluter Pays,' impose environmental compensation of ₹17,45,000 upon respondent 1, which shall be paid within two months,' the tribunal said. It added that the corporation had 'miserably failed to comply with the provisions of the Municipal Solid Waste Rules, 2016, and committed illegalities in management, transportation, processing, and disposal of the solid waste' in the area. The NGT said the compensation would be used to remediate environmental damage in accordance with a plan to be drawn up by a committee comprising officials of the Central Pollution Control Board, UPPCB, and the Ghaziabad district magistrate. When contacted, corporation officials said they intended to seek a review. 'We are analyzing the order in detail,' said Mithilesh Kumar, city health officer. The case was based partly on an inspection by UPPCB officials on March 3, 2025. Their report said the site — measuring about 1,600 sqm — temporarily held waste from four wards, with around 40 metric tonnes of garbage lying there at the time. While no leachate or sewage was found entering the adjoining stormwater drain, the site was 'in an unhygienic condition' with a foul smell, and waste scattered in the area due to the absence of a boundary wall. The report also noted that no consent to operate or establish had been obtained from the pollution board for the site. Earlier, the tribunal had directed the municipal commissioner to file a compliance report. In an affidavit dated November 9, 2024, the corporation said the site was a secondary garbage collection centre (SGCC) set up a few years ago to temporarily store waste from four wards. It said five other SGCCs in the area had been closed in the past four to five years, and that most problems at the Apsara Border site occurred during the monsoon but were addressed promptly. On March 1, 2025, the corporation submitted another affidavit stating it had decided to shift the SGCC to a new facility in Chikambarpur within two months. In a third affidavit dated July 4, 2025, it said the Apsara Border site had been cleared and was now proposed to be used as a zonal office, with tendering for the work underway. However, the tribunal said the corporation had failed to specify where the new collection point was located or whether it complied with the Municipal Solid Waste Rules, 2016. 'No specific reply could be given,' it noted, adding that the July 4 affidavit was 'silent' on compliance regarding the new site.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nivesh Mitra 3.0 to cut service delivery timelines by up to 50%
Lucknow: Designed to minimise procedural bottlenecks and reduce red tape, the third-generation version of UP's Nivesh Mitra portal is set to cut service delivery timelines by 30% to 50% across various departments. "Nivesh Mitra 3.0 promises to significantly reduce approval timelines, simplify documentation requirements, and ease inter-departmental complexities," an official said on Wednesday. Citing an example, he said, "In the revenue department, approval timelines are expected to drop from 45 days to 21–30 days. In the labour department, a process that earlier took 30 days may now be completed in just five days." Likewise, environmental clearances from the UP pollution control board (UPPCB), which previously required up to 120 days, are now targeted for completion within 21 days. Similarly, approvals from the fire department may be granted in just five days, compared to the earlier 15-day timeframe. In UPPCL, tasks that earlier took 66 days could now be completed within 40 days. Through Nivesh Mitra 3.0, the Yogi govt aims to offer major relief not just in terms of time but also by reducing the number of documents required. In the revenue department, where five documents were previously needed, efforts are underway to bring this down to just two. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Find the Lowest Auto Insurance Rates in Your Area AutoSaveMax Get Quote Undo In the labour department, the requirement is expected to drop from 14 to only four documents. In the environment department, the number of required documents may be reduced from 13 to six. Sharing other features, officials said, "Nivesh Mitra 3.0 is set to be a highly modern and intelligent platform — not just procedurally but also digitally. A key feature will be the Common Application Form, allowing investors to obtain approvals from multiple departments through a single, unified form." They added that time-bound services will be a core feature, with real-time updates provided via SMS, email, and WhatsApp at every stage of the approval process. Integration with DigiLocker will make document uploading quicker and more convenient. A new tool called Know Your Approvals/Incentives (KYA) will offer users access to policies, permissions, and incentive schemes from over 45 departments — all in one place. The platform will also include cutting-edge features like an AI-powered smart chatbot, an improved user interface, real-time tracking, integrated GIS, and a comprehensive IPRA 3.0 dashboard. PAN cards will be used as a unique business identity, ensuring a streamlined and consistent identification process for all investors. The portal will also be available in Hindi and other regional languages.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Illegal gensets? Hostels in Greater Noida set to face pollution board's action
Noida: The principal bench (green) of the National Green Tribunal has given the UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) three weeks to inspect hostels and PG accommodations in Greater Noida and submit an action-taken report. This follows a Nov 2023 complaint about environmental violations, including groundwater exploitation. The tribunal closed the case after UPPCB confirmed notices had already been issued and action was underway. While disposing of the matter on Nov 6, 2023, the tribunal stated, "Since the action has already been initiated by the competent authority, therefore, at this stage, no further direction in the original application is required except directing the authorities to take appropriate action in accordance with the law and in pursuance of the notices already issued. If the proceedings in this regard are still pending, the regional officer, UPPCB Greater Noida, will conclude the same within six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and will file an action-taken report before the registrar general of the Tribunal. " Twenty-one months after the issuance of the direction, as the petitioner, Nishant Singh, found no improvement, he moved an execution application, seeking fresh direction to the pollution control board for compliance with the order. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is this legal? Access all TV channels without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Hearing this, the tribunal on July 30 expressed surprise over the UPPCB not yet inspecting the matter of over-exploitation of groundwater. The bench, comprising Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava, Judicial Member Justice Sudhir Agrawal, and Expert Members Dr A Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahmad, noted, "A compliance report by way of an affidavit dated July 29, 2025, has been filed by the UPPCB stating that all the hostels are connected with the sewage system of Greater Noida, but the report is silent on the issue of groundwater extraction by these hostels. " You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida "Out of 41 hostels, three are closed and five hostels do not have DG sets, six hostels have DG sets of less than a capacity of 19KW, so show cause notices have been issued to 27 hostels under the Air (prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1981, and a reply to the show cause notice is awaited," Pradeep Mishra, appearing for the UPPCB, informed the tribunal, adding that upon receiving the reply, action will be taken. The matter is listed to be heard again on Oct 31. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Hindustan Times
29-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Real-time surveillance begins at 2 more STPs in Greater Noida
GREATER NOIDA: The Greater Noida authority has installed Online Continuous Monitoring Systems (OCMS) at two more sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Ecotech-2 and Ecotech-3 for real-time surveillance and better wastewater management and environmental compliance, officials said on Monday. The OCMS technology enables real-time tracking of key pollution parameters like Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and other indicators before and after sewage treatment. (HT Photos) The OCMS technology enables real-time tracking of key pollution parameters like Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and other indicators before and after sewage treatment, they added. 'The system was first introduced at the 2 MLD Badalpur STP, and within a month, has been extended to the 15 million litres per day (MLD) plant in Ecotech-2 and the 20 MLD plant in Ecotech-3,' said additional chief executive officer (ADCEO) Prerna Singh. To be sure, the initiative is part of the Namami Gange programme that mandates online monitoring of all STPs to ensure proper treatment of sewage and discharge of compliant effluent into water bodies. As per the central government's Namami Gange flagship programme that mandates online monitoring of all STPs, Greater Noida authority's chief executive officer NG Ravi Kumar instructed the concerned department to prioritise implementation of OCMS across all STPs in the region, Singh added. The only major STP now left without this system is a 137 MLD capacity plant at Kasna that is expected to be equipped with OCMS within a month, said officials. Meanwhile, the data collected by OCMS will be accessible not only to the authority's sewerage department but also to the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) and the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), who can monitor operations remotely from their offices, they said. 'We are working on a plan to equip all STPs with online monitoring systems and Kasna STP is next. The move will help ensure improved operations and quality control,' she added. The system enables up to six users—officials from the authority, contractors, UPPCB, and Namami Gange officials—to access real-time data through laptops or mobile devices. The estimated cost of installing OCMS at each STP is around ₹30 lakh, fully borne by the authority, said senior manager (sewerage department, Greater Noida authority) Vinod Sharma. Beyond compliance, the authority is also exploring the utility of treated water. Currently, the water obtained after treatment is used for irrigation and construction purposes. Officials said that talks are underway between the authority and National Thermal Power Corporation to use this water for thermal power generation as well. Officials said that citizens or contractors interested in using treated water for irrigation or construction can obtain it at a nominal rate of ₹7 per kilolitre by contacting the sewerage department on 9211825118. The initiative comes as part of Greater Noida authority's broader strategy to modernise wastewater treatment infrastructure. The authority is working to transition to advanced technologies to enhance treatment efficiency and meet stricter discharge norms, HT had reported on July 26. The integration of OCMS is viewed as a complementary step towards ensuring transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability in sewage management, officials said.
Time of India
25-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
How pollution fight took a backseat, thanks to a typo
Noida: Residents of an Indirapuram housing society had to bear the brunt of two noisy, polluting diesel generators (DG) for two years even after an NGT directive, allegedly over a "typographical error". Over two years after the case pertaining to DG sets near Nirala Eden Park in Indirapuram came up before NGT, the tribunal directed GMC to replace them within three months. DGs were found to be "causing pollution and inconvenience" to residents. The two-year delay is not on the part of NGT or UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB). In fact, NGT had given directions to UPPCB in 2023 Feb and even UPPCB had given its report and recommendations in July 2024. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida A "typo" in the July directive of UPPCB has been used by GMC to escape the onus of timely compliance. The matter had been registered in 2023 on the basis of a letter written to the tribunal by the secretary of the Nirala Eden Park Residents Welfare Association, raising a grievance about "foul-smelling hazardous gases being emitted from the sewage pumping station (SPS) and noise pollution from the high-power DGs" installed in the sewage plant situated just adjacent to the society's boundary wall. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get Fast, Secure Gold Loans, Trusted By Millions Since 1949 Manappuram Finance Learn More Undo The residents endured the pollution and noise despite a recommendation sent by UPPCB to GMC July 2024 due to a small typographical error. Appearing before the commission on July 16, counsel for GMC said it could not comply with the recommendations as there was some "incorrect information". The counsel said, "The needful in compliance with the report of the UPPCB — dated July 10, 2024 — could not be done till now to replace the two DG sets at the 56 MLD sewage pumping station because, in para 2 (ii) of the report of the UP PCB, a factually incorrect assertion has been made that the DG sets in the SPS are of 320 KVA each, whereas these DG sets are of 750 KVA each. " NGT said that since the counsel appearing for the UPPCB has not disputed the claim, the municipal corporation should now proceed with compliance. The tribunal comprising chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava and expert members Dr A Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahmad said, "UPPCB counsel submits that it's an inadvertent typographical error. Hence, the municipal corporation is permitted to proceed on the basis of the above correction and take necessary action to comply with the report of the UP PCB in respect of the replacement of the DG sets as also in other aspects. " Disposing of the matter on Feb 22, 2023, the tribunal had directed the UPPCB to take action, if necessary, and submit an action-taken report. Responding to the direction, UPPCB filed its report before NGT, saying two main SPSs with capacities of 56 MLD and 48 MLD are established adjacent to the boundary wall of the said society and were reported to be operated by the private agency M/s VA Tech Wabag Ltd., Chennai. "The 56 MLD main sewage pumping station has six pumps with a capacity of 220 HP each for pumping sewage coming from nearby areas. It has two DG sets (320 KVA each) with acoustic enclosures but inadequate stack height. These DG sets are also not converted into dual fuel in compliance with CAQM directions, while the 48 MLD main sewage pumping station has four pumps. It has two DG sets (700 KVA each) and both are very old and must be replaced," UPPCB said.
